Luna Pier Organizes Inaugural Veteran's Day Parade

- Monroe News photo by KIM BRENT
Logan Doom, 5, of Luna Pier and cousin Taylor Wenzel, 12, of Toledo take in the Veteran's Day Parade in Luna Pier Saturday. The event was a first for the city and the only celebration of its kind in the county to mark the upcoming holiday.

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Luna Pier Veteran's Parade

LUNA PIER — During the inaugural Veter­ans Day Parade and ceremony in Luna Pier Saturday, Judy Olson listened intently while clutching a handmade card­board sign listing the names of her five brothers who served in the military.

The brothers — Bud, Robert, Mike, Jack and Bill — served during three wars, and Mrs. Olson wanted to attend the festivities espe­cially since they were being held in her hometown.

“I wanted to do something to honor my brothers,” she said. “ This was very inspir­ing.”

On a wind-swept fall day warmed by a high-noon sun, this lakeside commu­nity came out for a parade, some song, music and a few speeches to celebrate free­dom and honor those who make it happen.

“I think this is just ter­rific,” said Luna Pier resident Ranny Worrell, whose father fought in World War II and whose two sons served in the military. “I think this is the nicest thing to happen in our community in a long time. I am thrilled to see these people come out.”

The Lake Erie coastal com­munity encompasses a little more than 1½ miles and is home to about 1,500 people.

But its mayor, Dave Davison, and the city council felt that Monroe County should have a parade for the veterans. So they made it happen.

Afterward, people gathered at Memorial Park to pay homage to those who served. There were cap-wearing veterans, students in high school sweatshirts, the Mason marching band and Young Marines. It was a small-town patriotic tribute where those in attendance can sing “Amazing Grace” by heart and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with hands on their hearts.

“Let’s hear it for Luna Pier for a great parade!” yelled the Rev. Louie Barnett, a Vietnam veteran dressed in full camouflage uniform. “ That is what Veterans Day is all about.”

The grand marshal was Richard Russell Sr., 89, a decorated WWII veteran who earned two Purple Heart awards and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He told a harrowing story that included being captured by the Germans, sleeping in frozen barracks and the bravery that accompanies survival.

“I’m one of the lucky ones,” Mr. Russell told the gathering at the park. “I lost a whole section of men. I was just about ready to give up.”

The inaugural Veterans Day parade in Luna Pier included 29 different units, such as the Monroe County Sheriff’s posse, ABATE motorcycles, fire departments and plenty of veterans. One car contained Miss Luna Pier, Kendra Kruzel, 14, and her 10-year-old sister, Kristen, Junior Miss Washtenaw.

“Hi daddy!” Kristen yelled as the convertible turned the corner. Daddy was Ken Kruzel, the Luna Pier fire chief, who was standing on the street smiling and waving to his daughters as they passed.

“I think it’s important to let the veterans know what they mean to us,” Chief Kruzel said. “ We need to honor the people who served. This is nice.”

Afterward, Mayor Davison, a Vietnam veteran whose father, Bill, a WWII veteran, also attended, said the tribute went exceptionally well. He said he was thrilled with the turnout and vowed to make the Veterans Day parade an annual event.

“I was honored that so many people showed up,” the mayor said. “It was unbelievable. This is a very patriotic community, and it showed. It was special.”